Saturday, July 30, 2011

This post should come with a warning...may be unable to understand author at some point. I was up at 3:30 this morning, dropping my daughter off at church so that she can depart for Arizona. A week long missions trip to an Apache Indian reservation. I feel a little "off" at the moment. This forty-nine year old body is ill equipped for early morning performance.

Pretty Pearle Cotton

It looks like it's going to be a wonderful, sunny summer day. The temps are rising and though the grass needs a major trimming, I will pretend not to notice. It's a day for fun, not chores. Oh, what to do?

"My Little Kitten" for Benartex

I believe I will be starting with a lot of coffee. I'll then proceed to a cold shower and more coffee. The sun is too bright to waste on dozing. What will you do on a bright summer day?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

How is it that it's Thursday already? I don't know where this week has gone. The latest block in the summer sampler series is Lucky Pieces. I'm loving how this one turned out. In the midst of this quilt along, I decided to try hand quilting and after reading the tutorial that Mary has provided on her blog I set out yesterday to get my supplies.

I had made a quilt top in crib size and thought this would be a good place to start. I had always believed that it was too hard and I was too impatient to hand quilt. After all the pinning was done I got started.

Having the right tools clearly makes the job easier. I don't know what I would do without that leather thimble. I haven't found the right one for my other hand which rests underneath the quilt and I must have poked myself a dozen times.

My stitches are a bit too big and I'm working on developing a rhythm, but I loved it! Thank you Mary, now I'm a believer!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I was able to take the time yesterday to get caught up on my blocks for the Summer Sampler Series. These two plum wore me out! The top one is the Six Pointed Star and the bottom is the Arkansas Traveler. The Arkansas Traveler was a combination of piecing and paper-piecing. I could see a whole quilt made out of this block.

I'm still struggling with sizes as some come out correctly and some are a bit short. I have been quilting for nearly ten years and I haven't had this issue since I started quilting. I keep checking my 1/4 inch and so far I'm accurate so it must be in my cutting somewhere. As I said before, I'm not concerned. You add a bit of fabric here and there and after it's done and quilted, no one knows the better.

A new block has been posted today so I'm off to tackle that one. I hope you have a great summer day doing something you love!

Monday, July 25, 2011

I stepped outside this morning to take a couple of pictures while the sun was shining. The sky is getting dark as I type this and it looks like a storm is brewing. I finished my applique memory quilt this weekend. The most fun was making these dragonflies and the bumble bees below.

It is off to the quilter so Mary can make her magic. I'm going to save the rest of the quilt and show you when it's finished. This one is near and dear to my heart.

My friend and boss, Nancy, was on vacation last week and went to the Brimfield Antique show with her husband. She kindly brought me this gift. Kleanser Kate is made by Napco and has holes in her head and a stopper on the bottom for holding cleanser. Isn't she a beauty? Nancy bought one for herself too. I have not ever seen this piece.

This little guy is the newest addition to my pixieware collection. He reminds me so much of my college age son when he was little that I believe this one is my favorite to date. I need to come up with a better way to display these and if any of you have suggestions, I'm all ears (or is that eyes?).

This rose is simply stunning. I can see it from my kitchen window and it always takes my breath away. I got it last year at our local farmers market. It looks to be a climber but has only had two blooms this year. The color is as bright as this picture, I didn't touch it up at all.

The sweet peas have started blooming. This dainty flower always makes me think of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter. I'm trying to train it to climb up a ladder but it just grows everywhere it can. Even plants appear to have a mind of their own. Blessings!

Friday, July 22, 2011

The fifth quilt block in the series is simply called the "Star". It was paper pieced. I really enjoyed the process but for some reason my block measures at 11.5" and it should measure 12.5". I'm not worried, I will add a bit of white and cut it to size. No point in wasting a good block. I've learned after all these years of quilting and knitting, there are ways to make things work and no one knows but you. The Amish actually put a mistake in their quilting on purpose because God is the only one who is perfect. I don't have to purposely place a mistake, they manage to spring up all on their own!

I've been working on a project that is now starting to take shape. I'm currently redoing the Pretty Room. This picture above is what is has looked like for the past eight years. I have been feeling the need to pair down and simplify my home and other aspects of my life. I've been thinking a lot about growing up on Lake Michigan and how that has shaped me. So I decided to head to a more beachy calm, cottage feeling.

So with that in mind, my daughter and I painted the room this soft shade of grey blue. We left the Bible verse as I love it so. Today two chairs were delivered that I have been waiting on for weeks now. This slip-covered, washable fabric is just as I had dreamed. A new couch will arrive next week.

I found this lamp at T.J. Maxx and filled it with sand and shells from our trips to Siesta Key, Florida. It casts the loveliest warm glow in the room.

I started looking around and found other things I could pull into the room from different parts of the house. This dish was on the porch and I put beach glass and pottery that my brothers and I found on the shores while we were growing up.

The rest of the beach glass has found it's way into a jar I found at T.J.'s as well. A moved the shell from upstairs to the mantle and continued my search.

These two beauties were hanging out upstairs, part of the collection of salt and pepper shakers that my daughter has. I knew I could find a new home for them.

The mermaids landed next to this cute salt and pepper clam set that I found on a recent trip to the town I grew up in.

I had to include this plate as well. So many of the places listed I have been to at some point in my life.

There is still a lot to be done. The ottomans are getting a new slip cover when I can fit that in. I have a quilt in mind to hang on the wall, I just have to make it! I also have a cabinet to paint as well as a little doll chair. I'm keeping my pink coffee table and shelf in the room but most pink touches will be subtle. It's fun to go slow and take my time. I will share more when I get things done. Blessings!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

It is hot, hot, hot here. It's still better than snow, so I'm not complaining too much. I'm drinking ginger-peach iced tea and staying inside. I picked up this book the other day. I've seen the movie but never read it. One is never too old for the adventures of Anne.

After I laid these blocks out together I noticed a little imbalance. Too much white and not enough contrast. I do like them though and will just add a bit more color to a few of the backgrounds with the next blocks. Today's pattern calls for paper piecing so I need to hone my skills. When you don't practice paper piecing on a regular basis, you tend to forget. At least I do anyway.

The garden is still quite colorful, though the air is so hot I don't know how they don't wilt. I'm wilting for them! Off to quilt!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

This block is the fourth in the Summer Sampler Series. This one took quite a while to complete with all the half square triangles, but it's one of my favorites. Hope you are having a good day today! The quilt along info can be viewed here.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Flowers are blooming inside as well as outside at my house. This weekend I made some major progress on my applique memory quilt and thought I would share a few of the blocks with you.

This is the state of my sewing room at the moment. I don't know why I let a quilt project get out of control like this, it just makes me feel anxious. Some things I will never learn, I guess.

The hydrangea is in full bloom. I have different varieties in my garden and wanted to share a couple with you.

I moved this lace cap a couple of years ago and it is now blooming. They seem to go into dormant mode when moved and take a couple of years to come back. They will come back though, and as showy as ever. Sweet blessings today!

P.S. I know today was suppose to be a Sewing Christmas day, and I'm so busy with my quilt project this month to have something for you, please forgive me.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Yesterday I completed block number three of the Summer Sampler Series. I really like how this one turned out. It has a lot of movement and I like the way the different colorways of the same Flower Sugar fabric look together. For more information on the quilt-along, go here. Have a wonderful Saturday!